Tiki Pineapple, known for its dairy-free Dole soft serve ice cream, is opening its first two Michigan locations in Midland.

A location at 1908 S. Saginaw Road in Midland Plaza (near Jimmy John's) is set to open Saturday. The second location in the Midland Mall will open in early March, according to Michael Enderby, co-owner of Tiki Pineapple.

He said the Midland market is particularly attractive because it is "up and coming," and noted the South Saginaw location was appealing because it is near The Dow Chemical Co. and is at a popular corner.

The ice cream is fat free, dairy free, gluten free with no artificial colors, Enderby said, and is friendly to people who are intolerant of dairy products. The chocolate and vanilla flavors are lactose free. (The ice cream has calories -- 90 per four-ounce serving -- a typical size twist ice cream cone, Enderby said.)

The company has locations in South Carolina and Florida, where everyone knows what a Dole Whip is, he said.

"In Florida, Dole Whip has a huge following," Enderby said, and is especially popular at theme parks.

The Dole Whip is pineapple soft serve ice cream served in a cup or cone with a large selection of fresh fruit toppings, including pineapple, strawberries, blueberries, mango, kiwi, bananas, mandarin oranges -- "pretty much almost every fruit" -- and seasonally, passion and star fruits.

The ingredients arrive in Midland from Hawaii, where the Dole plantation is located, Enderby said.

Another popular item is the Dole Float, which features Dole Whip ice cream with a splash of pineapple juice and topped with crushed pineapple and a cherry.

The menu also features Dole smoothies mixed with pineapple juice and not the typical dairy or yogurt.

"We are thrilled to be getting into the Midland area market to showcase our delicious treats with our unique and fun tropical decor concept -- we are not your typical looking ice cream shop," Enderby said.

The shops will be flavored with Hawaiian decor, including masks and totems, bamboo border -- "very bright and warm," he said.

The new Midland Mall location will feature a tiki hut inspired storefront with tropical accents throughout.

Enderby, who was born in Saginaw, grew up in Florida and then returned to Michigan, said he and co-owner James Idzior are bringing other Tiki Pineapple locations to Michigan. One will go into a newly constructed building in a Gaylord plaza and they are scouting the Grand Rapids and metro Detroit areas.

The South Saginaw location will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day.